Scripture: Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Exodus 30:19-20
Observation: In the detailed instructions God included fo rthe tabernacle--its furnishings and ceremony--He included a basin for washing. Aaron and his sons were to wash inthe basin before they could enter God's presence. Ironically (if anything can be ironic when done by a purposeful God,) the basin was to be made out of the mirrors the women brought with them from Egypt.
Application: In a marvellously visual way, God showed His people, not for the last time, that He was more concerned with true cleansing than with appearance. It's true not only for the priest but also for me. Where am I keeping up appearances rather than seeking out healing and forgiveness? Where am I hiding my true self at the cost of embracing grace and wholeness?
Prayer: God, Forgive my foolishness, my folly at thinking I can pose with You. Instead, take my heart--own it and all that I keep there; become the center of my love and passion in life. Take my mind--make it Yours; renew it by Your grace, purify it and fill it wiht Your wisdom. Take my life--I offer it to You, to use as You see fit. Cleanse me of price and self. Fill those spaces with grace and compassion. Amen.
January 30, 2008 by Andy
Acts 6:10 “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”
In this passage Stephen is preaching the Word of God and he is arrested because of it. Once he gets arrested he ends up in a debate of sorts with the powers that be. In this debate we come across verse 10 where the scriptures say “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” This stands out for a couple reasons. The first is that Stephen had extraordinary wisdom and second that he was led by God.
I find the first comment about Stephen's wisdom so intriguing because it is in reference to Stephen's knowledge. When I read that I think of the work that Stephen put into learning about God. I am reminded of the effort that he put in in order to have this wisdom. I also find the second comment about the Spirit of God being there with equally intriguing.
There is a relationship to what I do to learn more about God and then God speaking through me. I know that I cannot do anything outside of God's help but I am also a believer in doing what I can and being faithful in my own study life. God wanted Stephen to learn and study so that he may gain Godly wisdom and to be able to give an account of his faith. I believe God desires that for my life also. God wants me to learn what I can so that I can gain wisdom and then he will be there to help me with what I don’t know. I must be faithful with my part.
Lord, may I always be pursuing knowledge of You. May I always do my part to learn what I can about you. Give me the knowledge and wisdom that can only come from you.
In this passage Stephen is preaching the Word of God and he is arrested because of it. Once he gets arrested he ends up in a debate of sorts with the powers that be. In this debate we come across verse 10 where the scriptures say “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” This stands out for a couple reasons. The first is that Stephen had extraordinary wisdom and second that he was led by God.
I find the first comment about Stephen's wisdom so intriguing because it is in reference to Stephen's knowledge. When I read that I think of the work that Stephen put into learning about God. I am reminded of the effort that he put in in order to have this wisdom. I also find the second comment about the Spirit of God being there with equally intriguing.
There is a relationship to what I do to learn more about God and then God speaking through me. I know that I cannot do anything outside of God's help but I am also a believer in doing what I can and being faithful in my own study life. God wanted Stephen to learn and study so that he may gain Godly wisdom and to be able to give an account of his faith. I believe God desires that for my life also. God wants me to learn what I can so that I can gain wisdom and then he will be there to help me with what I don’t know. I must be faithful with my part.
Lord, may I always be pursuing knowledge of You. May I always do my part to learn what I can about you. Give me the knowledge and wisdom that can only come from you.
Tuesday, January 29 2008 by Bob
Title "Let's Shout the Message!"
Scripture: Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
In Acts 5 Luke recalls a story of the apostles being arrested and placed in jail by the Jewish leaders. But in the middle of the night an angel of the Lord opened the jail doors. As they were being released the angel commanded them to go to the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life! Can you imagine what must have been going on in the apostle’s minds? Here an angel of the Lord frees the apostles from prison but then orders them to go back into the center of Jerusalem’s community where these Jewish leaders hang out, and proclaim the good news! Our Lord, through his messenger, had made the importance of this message clear. It was to be shouted from the steps of the temple courts for everyone to hear. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has risen and in his resurrection we can have eternal life!
In the last 2000 years what has changed in this message? Has its truth changed? Or it significance? Has time eroded the value of this new life now that we are in the 21st century? Not one bit. In fact the same Lord who called on the apostles to preach this message on the temple courts has also called us to do the same as commanded in Matthew 28:18. How passionately are you sharing your new life?
O Lord, forgive my complacent attitude concerning your wonderful promise revealed in your good news. Forgive me for my lack of care for those who are lost without hope in a fallen world. Please give me a renewed passion to shout your promise of hope to everyone you bring to me.
Scripture: Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
In Acts 5 Luke recalls a story of the apostles being arrested and placed in jail by the Jewish leaders. But in the middle of the night an angel of the Lord opened the jail doors. As they were being released the angel commanded them to go to the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life! Can you imagine what must have been going on in the apostle’s minds? Here an angel of the Lord frees the apostles from prison but then orders them to go back into the center of Jerusalem’s community where these Jewish leaders hang out, and proclaim the good news! Our Lord, through his messenger, had made the importance of this message clear. It was to be shouted from the steps of the temple courts for everyone to hear. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has risen and in his resurrection we can have eternal life!
In the last 2000 years what has changed in this message? Has its truth changed? Or it significance? Has time eroded the value of this new life now that we are in the 21st century? Not one bit. In fact the same Lord who called on the apostles to preach this message on the temple courts has also called us to do the same as commanded in Matthew 28:18. How passionately are you sharing your new life?
O Lord, forgive my complacent attitude concerning your wonderful promise revealed in your good news. Forgive me for my lack of care for those who are lost without hope in a fallen world. Please give me a renewed passion to shout your promise of hope to everyone you bring to me.
Monday, January 28, 2008 by Randy
Title: “I just can’t help it!!”
Scripture: Acts 4:20 says…For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Observation: Peter and John had just shared the hope of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. The Bible says that thousands believed what they had heard, while the Sadducees were “greatly disturbed” (Acts 4:1-3) Talk about a contrast of reactions! (The Sadducees were a Jewish sect which never believed in the resurrection). Well, as a result Peter and John were arrested and spent the night in jail. The next day they faced the “religious officials.” Filled with the Spirit, Peter boldly explained, telling them of Christ and the Good News. These leaders only had one thing to say – stop sharing!! That would be impossible! Peter and John replied, “…we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Application: How often am I sharing Christ and the Good News? Why am I not more excited about pointing people to Jesus? In my heart I know that it is the greatest news, the best news anyone can know and hear! I desire my love for God to spill out in my life so that I can say with the Apostles – I can’t help but speak what I’ve seen and heard about Christ!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for holding back in my witness for you. Even today, let me see the opportunities to share with others. In your grace, please give me a greater boldness and enthusiasm to be the testimony you want me to be. AMEN.
Scripture: Acts 4:20 says…For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Observation: Peter and John had just shared the hope of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. The Bible says that thousands believed what they had heard, while the Sadducees were “greatly disturbed” (Acts 4:1-3) Talk about a contrast of reactions! (The Sadducees were a Jewish sect which never believed in the resurrection). Well, as a result Peter and John were arrested and spent the night in jail. The next day they faced the “religious officials.” Filled with the Spirit, Peter boldly explained, telling them of Christ and the Good News. These leaders only had one thing to say – stop sharing!! That would be impossible! Peter and John replied, “…we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Application: How often am I sharing Christ and the Good News? Why am I not more excited about pointing people to Jesus? In my heart I know that it is the greatest news, the best news anyone can know and hear! I desire my love for God to spill out in my life so that I can say with the Apostles – I can’t help but speak what I’ve seen and heard about Christ!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for holding back in my witness for you. Even today, let me see the opportunities to share with others. In your grace, please give me a greater boldness and enthusiasm to be the testimony you want me to be. AMEN.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)